Arcuri returns from trip to Iraq

Friday

Aug 31, 2007 at 12:01 AMAug 31, 2007 at 12:10 PM

After several days on an Iraq trip, U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica returned to New York today. Arcuri spoke to soldiers and Iraqi and U.S. officials in an effort to determine the best way to bring troops back from the Iraq war.

JENNIFER FUSCO

After several days on an Iraq trip, U.S. Rep. Michael Arcuri, D-Utica returned to New York today.

Arcuri spoke to soldiers and Iraqi and U.S. officials in an effort to determine the best way to bring troops back from the Iraq war.

Witness the scene firsthand was beneficial, he said during a conference call today.

The trip was a congressional delegation mission led by U.S. Rep. Kendrick Meek, D-Fla.

Arcuri said the troops are continuing to do their jobs well, but the U.S. must immediately begin a timely and responsible redeployment to bring the troops home.

Here is how Arcuri answered some questions:

What's the atmosphere like?

Hot. More than 120 degrees in the shade, he said. The environment is mostly desert, and there are no green trees or grass.

He said he wore light armor - a bulletproof vest and helmet - but gave credit to the soldiers for continuing to do their jobs in those types of conditions.

One part of the visit included a tour of one of the better areas of Fallujah, he said.
There were no cars anywhere, and a lot of concrete barricades, he said.

How safe is it in Iraq?

Arcuri was in some of the better-secured areas, and always had a military escort, he said.

"At all points it was always a concern for possible attack," he said.

He referred to the environment as hostile and said some areas are safer than others.

"It is truly a war zone, there is no question about it," he said. "It's desert, it's barren - I do believe that it has to take a real toll on our soldiers."

He did not walk the streets of Baghdad, but said they flew over, and a lot of areas were bombed out.

What are the soldiers fighting for?

During a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Salam al-Zuwba'i, Arcuri asked him what to tell people back in New York about why the troops should stay in Iraq.

"He did not answer my question at all," he said. "If the deputy prime minister doesn't know why we should stay, what reason could there be?"

Arcuri said he saw soldiers in action, as well as speaking to them, and admired their dedication.

"If the Iraqi government were half as determined to make the present government work as our troops are, the job would be done today and all of our combat troops would be on their way home," he said.

Has the war been a worthwhile effort?

Arcuri said he supports the troops but the mission continues to change.

"I think we are not there for any of the right reasons," he said. "Our soldiers did everything that was asked of them and more, and now it's time to bring the troops home."